Najma make winning start to Gulf handball

TDT | Manama                                        

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com   

Defending champions Al Najma Club of Bahrain made a winning start last night to the 39th Gulf Clubs Men’s Handball Championship, being hosted by the Kingdom.

Najma posted a resounding 27-22 victory over Al Salmiya of Kuwait in their opening Group B fixture, played at the Khalifa Sports City Arena in Isa Town.

Meanwhile, also triumphant yesterday were Al Arabi of Qatar, who beat Al Ahli Sidab of Oman 30-23, also in the same preliminary round division.

Eight teams from across the region are taking part in the tournament, which continues until 17 March.

Bahrain is represented by Najma and Al Ahli, who are joined in the competition by teams from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar. Bahrain’s Ahli are in Group B for the preliminaries alongside Kuwait SC of Kuwait, Sharjah of the UAE and Al Safa of Saudi.

Today’s fixtures will see Bahrain’s Ahli take to the court for the first time, facing Kuwait SC of Kuwait in their Group B clash at 7pm.

At 5pm, Sharjah of the UAE face off with Al Safa of Saudi Arabia. Najma held a narrow 12-11 lead at the half in their game against Salmiya, and then did well in the final 30 minutes to extend their advantage on the way to the final whistle.

Najma were led by their top players including goalkeeper Mohammed Abdulhussain, Mohammed Habib Mohammed, Mohammed Mirza, Ahmed Al Maqabi, Egypt national team standouts Hassan Kaddah and Ahmed Alahmer, and tournament signees Mohammed Habib, Qassim Qambar and Qassim Al Shuwaikh.

The preliminaries continue until Monday next week, after which the semi-finals will take place with the top two clubs from each of the two groups advancing.

Najma won last year’s Gulf handball title after defeating Saudi outfit Mudhar in the tournament final in Kuwait City.

It was the sixth time the Bahraini side claimed the coveted championship.

Their triumph also ended a two-decade title drought, as their previous victories came in 2001, 1998, 1990, 1985 and 1984.

Najma had also won the competition’s silver medals thrice in 2006, 2004 and 1999; while taking bronze twice in 2003 and 1982.